The Bibb County Board of Education convened on July 17, 2025, to address several key agenda items, including funding for special education services and the reauthorization of a local sales tax for school capital projects.

The meeting began with a discussion on the allocation of funds for speech services, which totaled $1 million. Board members expressed concerns regarding the significant increase from the previous year's budget of $950,000 for related services. The discussion highlighted the growing number of students requiring speech services, which are classified as one of the 13 eligibility categories recognized by federal law. The board acknowledged that the number of students needing these services could fluctuate based on Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) and new student enrollments.

Following this, the board addressed the reauthorization of the East Blost sales tax, which is set to fund capital projects for the Bibb County School District. Mr. Kitchens presented a proposal to call for an election on November 4, 2025, to reauthorize the 1¢ sales tax, which is crucial for financing educational infrastructure. The anticipated cost for the projects is approximately $250 million, with $50 million in general obligation debt proposed to pre-fund these initiatives. The board unanimously approved the motion to proceed with the election call.

A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to discussions about the use of Henderson Stadium. Board members raised concerns about the lack of access for Central District students, who have historically used the stadium for their games. The superintendent explained that the district currently operates two stadiums, Thompson and Eddy Ford, which were deemed more efficient for scheduling games. However, board members emphasized the need for a dedicated home stadium for Central District students, arguing that Henderson Stadium should be utilized given its historical significance and recent upgrades.

The meeting concluded with a unanimous vote on the proposed motions, which will be included in the consent agenda for the next board meeting. The board plans to continue discussions on the stadium usage and the East Blost projects in future sessions, ensuring that community needs and educational infrastructure are prioritized.